Awww I can't have any fun.

pretty sad isn't it? But the good news is the latest one is the President and he hasn't done anything wrong.... yet.

Copied from Bowl.com and posted by an association manager in NJ.

I received 2 e-mails and a phone call in the past 12 hours informing me 50 bowling centers in NJ have been fined $3000. for allowing unlicensed 50/50's and or raffles during their leagues. Apparently the state is cracking down what was usually an overlooked activity to help raise funds for their budget shortfall. I was told a second offense will cost $15,000.00. I have been informed by 2 bowling centers already that all leagues must show a state and municipal license to run any type of activity like this. Although it is a bowling competition the centers may also tell us not to run brackets. I can understand this as it would probably cost a court fight to overturn a fine on this.

As a lifelong resident of NJ, I can say that I'm not too surprised, and we all knew right away it was due to the fact that they're not getting any money from it themselves, and this is their way to do just that. If only they would actually fix the budget problems in the state as opposed to being worried about 50/50's during bowling leagues.

Mark

Is it possible that the revenue is down at the casinoes. That is tax dollars, so the state needs to collect elsewhere. Only the begining, LOL.

In Ill, the State Budget report for the first 6 months of 08, indicated a 26% reduction in Casino taxes, about $150 mill, primarily due to the cigarette ban. An additional 6% drop was due to the economy. The second 6 month report is not public yet.

We're talking State Income Tax increases, folks. Chicago already has the highest Sales tax in the Nation.

Oh yeah, the casinos are doing terrible right now, a few have declared bankruptcy and other are pretty close.



Heh, due to our budget issues, we're looking at our property taxes being increased again, and NJ has the dubious honor of being in the lead for that one.

I still can't believe that announcement last night, I never saw that coming. The high money leagues are going to be furious, they ran both brackets and an eliminator. Also, I would have won money the last game in a pot run by a league member.

Mark

How is this any different than the team who wins the league receiving more money than the team that comes in last?

Basically it's just another way the politicians (wealthy) keep the ordinary people from even the slightest bit of gambling without the government taking an ungodly cut of the prize fund.

You nailed it right on the head. I have no idea how a 50/50 works in bowling. Is it like any other that you get in, buy a ticket and if your ticket is drawn, you win half of the pot? If so, then I can see their point.

As for brackets and high game side pots, I don't think they have any jurisdiction over that. If they claim that they do, then they need to prevent all bowling tournaments as well. I don't see that happening either.

I guess I'll find out if this will impact the house I bowl at tomorrow night during league. As of last Thursday (4/2) everything was business as usual.

I can't believe NJ is worried about this especially with all the gambling that goes on at Atlantic City and with the state lottery. As long as the state can make a buck on gambling that makes it perfectly fine. For the amount of property taxes we pay here in NJ the state should be providing us with free bowling centers. If anyone should be fined it should be the crooks that run NJ.